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Karima Grant

karimagrant

‘I seek to facilitate the learning and development of at least 10,000 young changemakers.’
I am the daughter of a Senegalese mother and a St. Lucian father. My life thus far has been a journey through both the United States and Senegal. I have been a preschool teacher to children born addicted to crack in Central Harlem as well as a counselor to Senegal’s wealthiest most privileged high school students. Children, regardless of their circumstance, have taught me resilience and creative power even in the direst of circumstances.As a writer for children (and adults ) I attempted to capture this in my 2006 picture book Sofie and The City, about a young Senegalese immigrant to a seemingly unfriendly city.
I believe in the power of language. I believe language alone lets us imagine new possibilities, and as an educator with more than 20 years of experience working as an administrator, instructor and consultant, I have worked hard to facilitate children's language to understand themselves and their world.
I also believe and practice curiosity as an anchor for lifelong learning. It helped me make the leap 11 years ago to live, work and raise 4 children here in Senegal. Currently, as founder and director of ImagiNation Afrika, Senegal’s first children’s cultural and educational hub, I lead an amazing diverse team of changemakers, creating innovative educational programming integrating local culture, play and experiential learning to develop creative and critical thinking in children 6 months to 19 years.
My vision : a world of African children change-makers solving the problems of development.

In November 2015, ImagiNation Afrika will open the doors of its flagship program: Kër ImagiNation, Senegal's first cultural and educational hub for children. Exhibitions, programs and play spaces in this physical site offer children 6 months–12 years opportunities to develop creative confidence.